First Impressions

When it comes to web design the all-important “first-impression” remains key. There are specific criteria by which effective web design can be measured. Essentially, it should accomplish three distinct goals:

Instant affinity
When a user comes to a site they instantly know whether it is what they are looking for. If it is not they will immediately leave the site, if it feels right they will stay and browse. For example, a 40 year old women landing on a website for teenage fashion will leave straight away.

Credibility
A website that is ‘well designed’ is an indicator of trustworthiness, believability and reliability. It helps to give a good first impression and keep users on the site. Bad design gives a feeling of poor craftsmanship and the inability to meet user expectations.

Focus
Be sure the design provides clear focus and the message you want to convey is concise. When a design is cluttered and message can be lost. Prioritising the content into headlines, subheadings and calls to action can actively enhance the user experience.